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Chelmsford City 3-2 Cambridge United, Monday 15th January 2007, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 7:30pm, Friendly.
The odd goal in five saw this game finish in City's favour as two experimental sides battled-out an entertaining match in which Jeff King and Glenn Pennyfather tried-out four brand-new players. Callum Kearns made an immediate impact within the first minute of his debut with a splendid run and strike to open the scoring and a second half brace from recognised defender Stuart Ainsley, including one penalty, helped Chelmsford defeat a young representative side of the former Football League club. In both wide midfield positions City welcomed newcomers to the Claret shirt. Dave Cowley impressed many on the left-hand side while the exotically-named Denner Nascimento made less of an impression and was substituted early in the second period. Another new boy, Marcelle Nugent at right-back, suffered the same fate. New for this season, but not to City as a whole, was Kurt Husnu who lined-up at left-back having appeared for the club briefly under Craig Edwards last season and the substitutes' bench was made-up of a trio of youth talents. The remainder of the line-up consisted of first-teamers who had a point to prove as they looked to gain a more regular starting place in important forthcoming fixtures. After just a few seconds of the encounter Kearns sprinted forward with the ball, charging through the Cambridge defence before ramming home from ten yards and putting City in front. The visitors them attempted to level later-on with a header onto the crossbar and a strike which sailed well over. Hallett, as makeshift skipper for the night, was guilty of not making the most of a glorious opportunity in the 28th minute when he was sent clean through only to lose control of the ball at the last minute as he tried to drag it back onto his right foot. Almost immediately, Ashley Harrison was forced into action at the other end to get his body behind a well-struck low free-kick and he also dived bravely at a forward's foot moments prior to the break to prevent a dangerous situation. This came after Kearns retained the ball well for City in a separate attack which culminated in Ainsley curling narrowly over from the edge of the area. After the interval there were more goals to enjoy and United went close on a couple of occasions before Robbie Simpson finally found the net in the 57th minute, striking home from close range after the home rearguard had failed to clear. This goal re-ignited City who moved back into the ascendancy seven minutes further on. Some superb, neat football presented Ainsley with the ball some distance from goal and he did the rest, shooting classily into the net. But that wasn't it for the former Ipswich Town youngster, who converted the penalty awarded as a result of Hallett being tripped in the area in the 70th minute. City's two-goal advantage seemed a little flattering and, after Harrison made another good stop from an attractively-executed half volley he could do little about the consolation Cambridge registered five minutes before the final whistle. However, this was a useful evening for Chelmsford and the players who were fielded will have been observed by the Management Team who will now arrange their future squads using that knowledge. City: 1 Ashley Harrison Cambridge United: Paul Crichton, Mark Peters, Matt Bloomer, Lance Stimson, Dean Hooper, Josh Simpson, Steven Smith, Darren Quinton, Charles Libram, Lucian Ntolla, Richard Smith. Subs: Wayne Purser, Zac Kataby, Jemal Johnson, Scott Harbour. Bookings: None. Referee: Chris Ledgeway. Attendance: 298. City Man of the Match: Stuart Ainsley. |
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By Chris
Evans
